By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 13: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has come to the defence of his son who has been implicated to have vested interest in a company that is undertaking projects from Petronas.
He expressed regrets that DAP Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong had resorted to character assassination on him and his family members “to gain political mileage”.
“Indeed, it is malicious and vexatious on the part of the Honourable Member for Pending to have created a negative perception of Abdillah (his son) who is not here to defend himself,” he told Sarawak Legislative Assembly during his winding-up speech today.
In the current DUN sitting, Yong has accused certain people in the high office in Sarawak and their family members for sitting as directors in the board of government-linked companies, which resulted in the State government’s failed negotiation over the 5 per cent sales tax on petroleum products from Petronas.
“Allow me to inform this august House on members of my family that have been touched either with malice or otherwise by the Honourable Member for Pending and viraled by DAP social media.
“I have two children, a son and a daughter. Abdillah my son received education on technology from Alexander College in Perth, Western Australia and Aviation Institute of Australia, Jandakot, Perth and a holder of the Australian Pilot Licence,” he said.
Abdillah started his start-ups Aizo Digital Works at Cyberjaya as developer of multi-layered online games and animation, and also providing design and programming internship to students of the Multi-Media University. His passion in Nintendo technology led him to set up Aizo Digital.
“In February 2016, before I became Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister, he was requested by his lawyer friend, who is the owner of Borneo Sea Offshore, to be an independent director in his firm.
“Abdillah owns no share and has no fiduciary interest in the company. He retired as an independent director in June 2018,” he pointed out.
Abang Johari added that his daughter Norjehan is a holder of Bachelor of e-Commerce (Honours) from Curtin University, Perth, Australia. She graduated 15 years ago and used to work for Sarawak Energy and she is now working with a private firm in apps technology.
“I want to state here that as a Muslim who observed the teachings of Islam, we realise that whatever we have in assets, we cannot bring them to our grave when we are called by the ‘Ilahi’; we only bring along what we practiced in our lives.
“My record as ADUN for 38 years since 1981, and state administrative member and cabinet for 34 years since 1984, it is witness of my and my family’s integrity. I fear no one, but I fear God,” he exclaimed. — DayakDaily
